Nicola Sturgeon coronavirus update LIVE as NHS board hits back at wasted vaccine claims

outdoor meetings could be announced by Nicola Sturgeon in her latest coronavirus update this afternoon.The First Minister is due to give a statement to MSPs in the Scottish Parliament around 2.20pm today.She has already indicated a change in the rules on outdoor meetings - which at the moment only allow for two people from two different households to get together - could be coming.On Friday, Sturgeon indicated "good progress" with the vaccination programme and the falling number of infections

eased this week as a result of the drop in cases.Yesterday, no new coronavirus deaths were announced.Although, figures tend to be lower at weekends, coronavirus cases have continued to drop in recent weeks, with the test positivity rate having now been below 5% for 13 days in a row.The 5% figure is used by the World Health Organisation to determine if the pandemic is under control.On Friday Sturgeon said: "I'm hopeful that next week we might be able to make some relatively minor, but I think

First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament it was revealed that 500 people had tested positive for the deadly virus in the same time period.There are currently 726 people in hospital while there are 69 patients in intensive care units across the country.Throughout FMQs Sturgeon was quizzed about her appearance at the Alex Salmond harassment committee yesterday.She was also asked about the Budget and how it will hit Scotland.As a result, Scotland is due £1.2 billion in Barnett

First Minister  said there was "good evidence" the national vaccination programme was already reducing the number of deaths from the virus across the country. And the SNP leader revealed the average number of covid cases being reported each day in Scotland had dropped to 657 - the lowest rate since October.

First Minister said there was "good evidence" the national vaccination programme was already reducing the number of deaths from the virus across the country.And the SNP leader revealed the average number of covid cases being reported each day in Scotland had dropped to 657 - the lowest rate since October.It means all primary school pupils will be able to return to class as of March 15 - with high schools reopening full-time after the Easter break.Sturgeon added that a further review of easing

school after the Easter holidays.In a statement to MSPs the First Minister said all primary school children will be back in the classroom in two weeks time by March 15.The resumption of face-to-face learning is dependent on the state of the virus in Scotland.Last week kids from primary one to three were allowed back to the classroom after restrictions were lifted slightly.The SNP leader said all primary school pupils will be able to return to childcare as well in the coming weeks.Sturgeon told

latest plan to ease restrictions yesterday but it was criticised for not looking beyond the end of April.The UK Government's routemap out of lockdown for England claimed all social restrictions could end as early as June 21.But Sturgeon said she would be “making it up” if she gave a specific date for the end of coronavirus restrictions.Speaking at the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh on Wednesday, the SNP leader questioned Johnson's June 21 date.“If I was to give you a fixed, hard and fast date

coronavirus lockdown in Scotland yesterday.The First Minister said she hoped to lift the 'Stay at Home' message on April 5 as cases and deaths across the country continue to fall.It is hoped that the reopening of the economy will start around April 26 with the return to the levels system.Sturgeon said more detail will be set out in March as the pressure on the NHS eases.It comes after it was announced that 56 people had died from coronavirus in the last 24-hour period.In that same time 655 new

could be back in class by March 15 with high schools fully open by April 5.But opposition MSPs and business leaders criticised today's document for lacking detail.Speaking to MSPs, Sturgeon said lockdown would ease in phases - separated by intervals of at least three weeks - culminating in the removal of the stay at home order on April 5.Scotland will move back to a regional system of restrictions by the end of that month.The rest of primary school years, as well as more senior phase pupils in

"route map" is published.

First Minister left a four nations call with the Prime Minister and the leaders of the other devolved administrations to take part in her regular coronavirus broadcast today.With the call between the leaders coming as plans for the easing of lockdown restrictions are being unveiled, the Scottish Tories accused the First Minister of having the wrong priority.A Conservative spokesman said: “It will raise more than a few eyebrows that Nicola Sturgeon’s priority is the BBC briefing over working

Nicola Sturgeon is set to unveil Scotland's route out of lockdown this week as she outlines when and how the country will lift restrictions.The First Minister will make a statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, where she is expected to lay out the lockdown action plan for the coming weeks and months.It is hoped a decision will be made on how Scotland will gradually return to normality, with the next steps for local lockdown levels, travel and socialising.

coronavirus  and another 11 are believed to be infected after an outbreak on a ward. But the  Scottish Government’s  rules say elderly patients should not be vaccinated against the virus until they are about to be discharged.

Jason Leitch painted a picture of a future when Scots would be able to fly to parts of the world that had the virus under control.A system of travel corridors allowing people to fly to certain countries used to be in operation, but the policy was scrapped as a way of getting to grips with infection levels.READ MORE: Scots may be able to travel abroad to ‘vaccinated’ countries says Jason LeitchBilly Dodds and Steven Thompson were left baffled by Rangers’ partygoing stars as the Ibrox five were

lockdown since Christmas with non-essential shops shut, almost all hospitality businesses closed and a ban on travelling outwith local council areas.The First Minister is expected to say that schools can begin reopening to the youngest primary pupils from next week, with limited numbers of senior high school students also allowed to return to class.But Scots will be hoping she can also provide some detail on when the toughest lockdown restrictions can expect to be eased.The number of positive

quarantine requirements  in England to match those planned for Scotland, which will require all international arrivals to self-isolate in hotels. The  Labour leader  said and estimated 10,000 travellers a day will be arriving in the UK from “higher-risk countries” where the South African or Brazilian coronavirus variants are circulating but which are not on the Government’s red list.

Jeane Freeman said Scotland should hit its target of vaccinating 400,000 adults a week ahead of schedule this week - but added the programme will then “need to scale back a bit”.A drop in supply across all four UK nations is being caused by work being carried out by Pfizer – the manufacturer of one of the approved vaccines.The company is having to temporarily reduce output as part of an overall effort to increase manufacturing capacity amid worldwide demand for vaccines.Nicola Sturgeon said on

First Minister said members of the public are being targeted in a growing attempt by criminals to latch onto public fears in the pandemic.The SNP leader, at her daily covid briefing, said: "I'm afraid we are becoming aware about some scam emails and messages which are being sent out about vaccine appointments."She advised the public to remember the vaccine is free and NHS Scotland would never ask for payment for a dose."In addition, NHS Scotland is not using email to contact people, so if you